Help with firmware update

[martinsmac]

Hi, I'm looking for some help. I have downloaded the firmware upload tool, but cannot find any instructions on how to use it. From what I can see, the installer has given me a python distribution and some scripts. I get python exceptions when I try and run those scripts (for instance lopyupdate.py).

The readme mentions that there are some dependencies, but it's not clear to me whether the installer has given me everything I need or not. PIP doesn't find py_qscintilla.

This all feels like a bit of an unfinished mess to me. Is it possible to update the firmware just using esptool.py, without using the pycom value-add?

[martinsmac]

I should add, I am using Windows 7.
(but I can't because I'm a new user and have to wait 600 seconds.... Sigh)

Getting up and running with the Pycom board has NOT been a positive experience.

[bucknall]

Hi @martinsmac,

Are you downloading the Firmware Update Tool from here?

Website:
https://www.pycom.io/resources/

Direct Link:
https://software.pycom.io/findupgrade?product=pycom-firmware-updater&type=all&platform=win32&redirect=true

When you select windows you should download a .exe which you can just run? Do you not get this?

Really sorry that you've had this experience! We're trying to improve/streamline this so I'm keen to get your feedback on where it's been difficult and resolve the problems you're running into.

Sincerely,

Alex

[martinsmac]

Worked it out. I was picking up my existing python installation, which did not contain the necessary dependencies. Can I encourage you to add some detail to your site and the readme..?

How about:
The installation package contains everything you need to update the firmware on your Pycom board. On Windows, simply do the following
cd c:\Program Files (x86)\Pycom\Pycom Firmware Update\Upgrader
..\Python27\python.exe lopyupdate.py

This will open the firmware update tool in a new window containing instructions.

[bucknall]

@martinsmac I think you may have downloaded the linux installer by accident - the windows installer should give you a .exe file and the setup should be automatic. You can reach it with the links I posted below and it should be displayed as the image below! Hope this helps!

[martinsmac]

@bucknall Thanks for getting back to me.

I downloaded an exe file. It installed a large number of files, but didn't provide any messaging on what I needed to do next. There wasn't an executable in what was installed apart from the python.exe.

I was hoping for a batch file that wrapped up a command line, or even an exe that launched the tool.

Having worked out how to launch it, I must say I am impressed with the upgrade tool. It worked very smoothly and it is better than other ESP flashers I have encountered.